Whether it’s how much your local schools get or the potholes in the roads to your house, the people elected at the city and county level have a direct impact on the lives of those who live there. Yet, these elections often receive less attention than national or state races and can be decided by a few votes. This makes every vote in these elections more important than ever.
Local governments provide vital services like public safety, infrastructure and education. They also determine how your tax dollars are spent. Decisions made by mayors, school boards, county commissioners and city council members affect the everyday life of citizens in their communities. But they’re not as visible as candidates running for president and are rarely covered by major media outlets. As a result, local voters are often not informed about the issues they face or how to take action on them.
While a lack of coverage doesn’t explain why voter turnout is so low, it does contribute to the issue. Many of the most significant policy changes in history begin at the local level and make their way to the federal government. This is why local elections are so crucial for the health and vibrancy of our democracy.
Increased local election participation leads to a democracy that more accurately represents the needs, concerns and priorities of the people. But with complicated voting rules and a lack of access to election information, millions of people are not getting involved in their community’s politics.